Important Dates and FAQs
- Jan 30: Summer Scholars application opens
- Fab 1: Priority deadline to submit the 2026-2027 FAFSA. All Summer Scholars should file 2025-2026 FAFSA and the 2026-2027 FAFSA.
- April 15: Application deadline
- April 30: Applications will receive their acceptance package, which includes details on classes, housing, billing, and more.
- May 1: Priority deadline to confirm attendance to secure spot and choose your move-in day (the acceptance form link is located in your acceptance email)
- May 15: Deadline for Summer Scholars to complete the Math Placement Test
- June 1: Deadline to register for the July 6-7 Orientation session
- June 19: The Summer Scholars office will register confirmed participants for classes by this date
- June 22: The Summer Scholars bill is emailed to confirmed participants (the bill should contain housing, dining, tuition, and fees, but will not yet includecfinancial aid such as scholarships, grants, or loans). Students who confirm after June 19 will be billed in July.
- July 1: Deadline to request your VCUcard in order to pick it up during move-in (otherwise, you will get it during orientation)
- July 5: Move-in Day option #1
- July 6: Orientation Day 1; Move-in Day option #2 (in the morning before Orientation)
- July 7: Orientation Day 2; Mandatory housing meeting
- July 8: Summer Scholars Orientation (students only)
- July 22: Summer Scholars payment due date
- August 7: Summer dining plan ends at 2 p.m.
- August 8: Move-out is from 8-10 a.m
Additional checklist items:
- Make sure you respond promptly to requests from Summer Scholars or the Student Financial Management Center about financial aid inquiries. In order to give you an aid package in a timely manner, we need all of your information and documentation as soon as possible.
- If you took any AP/IB tests during your junior year, let us know on your application, even if you won’t be receiving college credit.
- Once we register you for your summer classes, double-check that you 1) do not already have AP, IB, or dual enrollment credits for them and 2) are not registered for duplicate courses in your fall schedule. If you are already receiving credit for a summer class, let us know as soon as possible. If you have a duplicate fall class, work with your academic advisor to select a different option for your fall schedule.
- Be sure to schedule your academic advising appointment for before you arrive to Summer Scholars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I secure my spot in Summer Scholars after I receive my acceptance email?
A: Your acceptance email will have a link to an acceptance form that you will need to complete to reserve your Summer Scholars spot.
Q: What happens after I accept my offer to Summer Scholars?
A: You are officially a Summer Scholar! We will reach out to students who we’re missing information from (e.g., AP/IB questions for course registration, financial aid documents, math placement test, etc.). Feel free to reach out with questions. You can expect to receive reminders and instructions, like move-in day details, beginning in June.
Q: What if I want to accept my Summer Scholars offer but am unsure of my financial aid package by the deadline?
A: We will work with you! There is an option on the acceptance form to let us know that you want to come but that you still need to confirm the final cost after aid. Just make sure that you follow up with us by email (summerscholar@vcu.edu) once you know for sure.
Note: Merit-based and need-based financial aid are on a first-come, first-served basis, so it’s important to let us know your intent to participate as soon as possible.
Q: I have a prior engagement that takes place during Summer Scholars. Can I start a week late, end a week early, or take time off during the program?
A: No, Summer Scholars are required to participate for the full duration of the program due to the academic course requirements. Because Summer Scholars classes are just 4.5-weeks long, they are condensed from the 15-week academic year versions, so missing one day of the summer class equals almost a full week of the semester class.
Q: Can I commute to Summer Scholars or attend if I’m going to another college in the fall?
A: Summer Scholars is a fully residential program for incoming VCU freshmen only; students planning to attend another college in the fall are not eligible. Participants must live on campus for the full five weeks of the program. The close bonds and lasting friendships that are made help our students start the fall semester strong. If living on campus is not feasible for someone, incoming VCU students have the option of taking summer classes without participating in the Summer Scholars program.
Q: Does it matter which orientation session I sign up for?
A: Yes! Summer Scholars attend the July 6-7 orientation session. If you register for a different orientation session or if the Summer Scholars session is full, email newrams@vcu.edu to request the change. Do not attend multiple orientation sessions.
Q: Should parents/guests attend orientation?
A: VCU’s Orientation has a robust schedule for parents and guests to learn about VCU, how to support their student’s first-year experience, and about academics and paying for college. We highly recommend attending. The Summer Scholars orientation, which takes place on July 8, is for students only.
Q: Are Summer Scholars required to stay on campus for the duration of the program?
A: While Summer Scholars are required to live on campus in Summer Scholars housing, students are free to leave whenever there isn’t required programming. The first three Saturday mornings and Sunday afternoons have required events (excursions and college success sessions), but some students choose to go home Saturday evenings. The program is designed for students to stay for the entire duration, so there will be plenty of fun optional activities and downtime for the many who choose to remain on campus. A skeleton schedule of required events will be sent to confirmed Summer Scholars several weeks before the program begins.
Q: How are roommates assigned and can I request a specific roommate?
A: Housing assignments will go out one to two weeks prior to the start of Summer Scholars, and roommate information will be shared then.
* If you know another Summer Scholar and the two of you would like to room together, indicate that on the housing form. Both of you will need to make the request for it to be honored.
Q: Do I have to move out of the residence hall at the end of Summer Scholars?
A: Yes, summer housing is separate from fall/spring housing, and move-out instructions will be provided in your welcome information packet.
Note: The exception to leaving campus for the week between the end of Summer Scholars and fall move-in is if you are participating in RAM Camp, which is for incoming residential freshmen. Summer Scholars who stay for RAM Camp will move into their fall housing assignment on August 8 and will be able to stay on campus for the duration of the week.
Q: What should I bring to campus? Is there a packing list?
A: We strongly recommend that you pack light for Summer Scholars, since you will be moving out at the end of the program, even if you are just moving directly into your fall housing assignment. You will need your own bedding for an extra long twin bed (sheets, blanket, comforter, pillows, pillow cases), towels, shower shoes, toiletries, and trash can. While you will have a dining plan, your residence hall has a full kitchen, so bring any cooking items you wish to use (pots, pans, plates, bowls, utensils). Richmond weather fluctuates, and afternoon downpours are not uncommon, so bring rain gear as well as warm clothes to wear in highly air-conditioned spaces.
Q: Can I bring my car?
A: First-year students are not permitted to have a car on campus; however, if you think you may qualify for an exception, you can review the Dean of Student Advocacy policy on their website and submit an exemption request.
Q: Why do I need to fill out two FAFSAs and how should I answer questions about being in college if I’m still in high school?
A: The financial aid year at VCU begins in the fall semester and ends in the summer; therefore, Summer 2026 is included in the 2025-2026 FAFSA year. The 2026-2027 FAFSA is used to determine your financial aid eligibility for the upcoming academic year (Fall 2026, Spring 2027, and Summer 2027). In order to build a financial aid package for you for Summer Scholars, then, we must have the 2025-2026 FAFSA in addition to the 2026-2027 FAFSA that you fill out for fall.
Because the 2025-2026 FAFSA year includes Summer 2026, which is when Summer Scholars takes place, you will be in college this year.
Q: Is my Summer Scholars scholarship for the summer or the fall?
A: The scholarships and grants you are offered for participating in the Summer Scholars program are to be used towards the billable costs of Summer Scholars (housing, dining, tuition, and fees).
Q: I received my Summer Scholars bill but it doesn’t show my financial aid on it. How will I know how much I owe?
A: Your financial aid will not disburse to your student account until two business days after classes begin, so your bill will not reflect the aid you are receiving. To calculate how much you will actually owe, subtract the amount of financial aid that is in your 2025-2026 aid package in eServices from the total amount you see on your bill. The remaining amount is your balance (what you will owe). If the remaining amount is a negative number, that means your award is more than your bill and you will receive a refund. A billing worksheet will be included in your digital welcome packet to help you with this calculation. Be sure to enroll in direct deposit through eServices to receive your refund more quickly, and follow these instructions.
Q: How do I register for classes?
A: While you register yourself for fall classes, we register you for your summer classes. It is very important that you do not register yourself for summer classes, since doing so can complicate billing. We will begin registering Summer Scholars for classes starting in the middle of June.
Q: Will my classes count towards my major and VCU GPA?
A: While some of the classes count directly towards major requirements (ARTF 131, ARTF 133, BUSN 205), all of the courses that you are eligible to take during Summer Scholars do count either towards general education requirements or total credits needed to graduate. If you are entering college with an associate’s degree, be sure to let us know so that we can evaluate the best classes for you to take.
Keep in mind that these are real college classes, and the grades you receive will be on your VCU transcript.
Q: Can I take any classes offered at VCU over the summer?
A: The Summer Scholars program has specific courses so that they satisfy your degree requirements, you’re in classes with other Summer Scholars, and the faculty are involved in the program. If you would like to take classes without the structure, support, and comradery of the Summer Scholars program, new students who are admitted for the fall semester can work with Summer Studies to take classes on their own.
Q: What happens if I struggle academically during the program?
A: There are many new experiences when you enter college, including taking college classes, and we have resources to assist you. Your instructors can meet with you during study sessions, the Campus Learning Center will have tutors available, and you can schedule meetings with your academic advisor, TRIO advisor (if applicable), and Summer Scholars staff to discuss any concerns you might have.
Q: How do I request housing or academic accommodations?
A: Housing and academic accommodation requests must go through the Office of Student Accessibility and Educational Opportunities (SAEO). Once they review and approve your request and documentation, they will send the accommodation information to Residence Life and Housing (no housing accommodations can be granted unless they come through SAEO) or provide you with an accommodation letter to give to your instructors.
Q: Can I have a job during Summer Scholars?
A: It is highly recommended not to work during Summer Scholars, since this is a structured and rigorous program focused both on academics and getting you well connected at VCU; however, if working a few hours a week is necessary, contact us to discuss what your schedule looks like so that we can help you be successful.
Q: What health services are available to Summer Scholars?
A: In the fall and spring semesters, students pay a required Student Health fee to receive services at Student Health; however, during the summer, that fee is not required. If you need to visit Student Health during the summer, there is a one-time fee of $80. Other options include local urgent care facilities.
Q: Do I need a laptop or specific technology for classes?
A: Yes, you will most definitely need a laptop or a computer, and a laptop is recommended over a desktop computer. Cabell Library has desktop computers that students can use during open hours, but it is likely that you will need to use a computer during times that the library is closed. VCU RamTech is a great resource for purchasing a computer or discussing options.